Maj. Gen. Del Turner takes command of USASAC

Gen. Ann Dunwoody, commanding general of Army Material Command, passes the USASAC colors to Maj. Frank D. Turner as he accepts command of USASAC while outgoing commander Brig. Gen. Christopher Tucker looks on. The September 30 ceremony was attended by Soldiers, U.S. Army civilians and local leaders.

Gen. Ann Dunwoody, commanding general of Army Material Command, passes the USASAC colors to Maj. Frank D. Turner as he accepts command of USASAC while outgoing commander Brig. Gen. Christopher Tucker looks on. The September 30 ceremony was attended by Soldiers, U.S. Army civilians and local leaders.

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REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- The U.S. Army Security Assistance Command has a new commanding general. Maj. Gen. Frank D. "Del" Turner assumed command of USASAC during a ceremony Sept. 30, 2011 on the parade field outside USASAC headquarters. General Ann E. Dunwoody, commander of Army Materiel Command presided over the ceremony, which signaled the departure of outgoing commander, Brig. Gen. Christopher Tucker.

Turner, who recently served as Program Manager of the Saudi Arabian National Guard Modernization Program, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia said that USASAC is an organization that has worldwide recognition and respect, and he is excited to become a member of the team.

"You should never doubt just how much others around the world think of your professionalism, dedication and competence, and what that means for the reputation of our Army and our nation," Turner said. "I look forward to joining your team and contributing to your future success."

The ceremony was also an occasion for USASAC and the Army to bid "farewell" to the outgoing commander. Tucker, who served as the USASAC commanding general since September 11, 2009, will retire in January, 2012 with more than 32 years of military service. During his career Tucker served in a variety of leadership and staff positions, from platoon leader through brigade commander, and commanded USASAC during the unit's move from Fort Belvoir Virginia, to Redstone Arsenal, Alabama as part of the 2005 BRAC.

In recounting his time in the military, Tucker said it was the people he has work with over the course of his career that made his time in the Army an experience he will cherish the remainder of his life.

"Years from now when someone asks how did you serve your country, I will always-- always be able to say, I served with the best; the best officers, noncommissioned officers, soldiers and civilians," Tucker said. "I served with the United States Army."

The United States Army Assistance Command (USASAC) implements approved U.S. Army security assistance programs, including Foreign Military Sales (FMS) of defense articles and services to eligible foreign governments. The command manages more than 4,655 FMS cases valued at more than $123 billion, and is responsible for the complete life cycle management of FMS cases.